Attenuation range of HMC273MS10G

Q

I want to learn more about HMC273MS10G attenuation range. In datasheet its attenuation range is 1-31 dB : is it dBm or dbW(max input power 1W or 100W)?

What is the real attenuation range of the device ?

A

The attenuation range is a parameter to specify the minimum and maximum attenuation levels that digital attenuator can produce relative to its insertion loss. Since minimum and maximum attenuation levels are the normalized values with respect to insertion loss, the attenuation range is weighted in dB.

For example, HMC273MS10G is a 1 dB LSB 5-Bit Digital Attenuator which consists of an array of attenuation bits binary weighted (LSB=1dB, 2LSB=2dB, 4LSB=4dB, 8LSB=8dB, 16LSB=16dB). HMC273MS10G offers an attenuation range from 1dB to 31dB (with respect to its insertion loss) with 1dB steps.-When all the attenuation bits are switched out of the RF signal path, the part still has an attenuation which is called insertion loss due to lossy switching elements in path.-When only least significant bit (LSB) is switched in of the RF signal path, the part has an attenuation of ideally 1dB with respect to its insertion loss (absolute attenuation is insertion loss plus 1dB). LSB determines the minimum attenuation and step size.-When all the attenuation bits are switched in of the RF signal path, the part has an attenuation of ideally 31dB (1+2+4+8+16) with respect to its insertion loss. Sum of all the attenuation bits determines the maximum attenuation.

The attenuation range does not specify the absolute operating power range (dynamic range) of the digital attenuator product in Watt or dBm. High end input power level of the dynamic range is specified by compression and third-order intercept points given in the electrical specifications table of HMC273MS10G datasheet. With 5V supply, HMC273MS10G offers input P0.1dB compression of 27dBm and input IP3 of 48dBm.

The attenuation range does not specify the absolute operating power range (dynamic range) of the digital attenuator product in Watt or dBm. High end input power level of the dynamic range is specified by compression and third-order intercept points given in the electrical specifications table of HMC273MS10G datasheet. With 5V supply, HMC273MS10G offers input P0.1dB compression of 27dBm and input IP3 of 48dBm.

Absolute maximum input power given in the absolute maximum ratings table is the damage level and should never be exceeded. With 5V supply, absolute maximum input power of HMC273MS10G is 30dBm.